: For 28 years, I have dedicated my life to teaching. The Masters & Ed.S specialist degrees that I possess have been instrumental in having a stellar teaching career so far. My current pursuit of a doctoral degree in education directly aligns with my career goals of becoming a stronger leader, consultant, and advocate in education. A Doctor of Education degree will equip me to design more impactful lessons, mentor future educators, and create innovative strategies that will close achievement gaps. I will be fortunate to further expand my educational consulting business that empowers schools, educators, and families through professional development, culturally responsive teaching strategies, and motivational programs. My voice isn't merely heard among the crowds at conferences and community forums, however, nor am I speaking just for applause. I will also facilitate workshops; inspire future teachers, particularly women of color; and lobby for fairer educational policies that serve each child, regardless of zip code. My doctorate will open opportunities for my own growth and for others to follow in my footsteps. Community outreach is the lifeline of my work. I’ll organize events that bring schools and parents together and participate in family literacy nights. In America’s churches, community centers, and living rooms, education keeps flowing. Through these ventures, I’ll be able to be a positive influence on the very neighborhoods that once influenced me. As an aspiring Doctor of Education, I plan to use my education to create transformative change in both classrooms and communities. My mission is to empower underserved students, mentor future educators, and design inclusive programs that close achievement gaps. With advanced training and research, I aim to launch initiatives that promote equity, cultural relevance, and family engagement in schools—particularly in communities that have historically been overlooked. Beyond the school walls, I will be partnering with local organizations, and hosting outreach events that connect families, educators, and youth with vital resources. I believe education is not just a career—it’s a calling to uplift, inspire, and ignite lasting change. This scholarship will be a crucial part of my journey. It will ease financial burdens, allowing me to focus fully on my doctoral studies, community engagement, and professional growth. With this support, I can continue pouring into others while building a stronger, more informed foundation for advocacy and innovation in education. Your investment in my future will not end with me—it will multiply in every student I teach, every life I touch, and every community I serve.

In my dreams, I am always walking with heart and mind uplifted by the new things pulling me forward. I look forward to the day I can say, "Hello! I am Dr. Tamika Blythers, a proud Doctor of Education, lifelong educator, and servant leader, impacting lives through knowledge, empowerment, and relationship. I can give, lead, and teach in hopes that the impact crosses campus lines and ripples through the country and beyond to international communities where joy, rehabilitation, and opportunity are needed. In my dream life, I am fortunate to continue to expand my educational consulting business that supports schools, educators, and family members in professional development, culturally responsive teaching practices, and motivational programs. I will lead my own workshops; offer inspiration to future teachers, especially women of color; and use my knowledge and instincts to advocate for more equitable educational policies that help all children, no matter their zip code. My Ed.D. will pave the way for myself and for others to grow. Engaging the community is my heartbeat. I’ll lead programs that get schools and parents working together, and I’ll take on a family literacy night. In America’s churches and community centers, in living rooms and online, education keeps flowing. Through these initiatives, I am able to uplift the very neighborhoods that shaped me, showing students and parents what’s possible when someone cares enough to pour back in. I'll also collaborate with local nonprofits, mentor at-risk youth, and serve on educational advisory boards to ensure that community voices remain part of the decision-making process. I’m dreaming not just of taking in life though. I give 100% of my time to my family—savoring every milestone, every meal, every moment. Whether we are sitting around the table eating Sunday dinner or traveling abroad as a family, these are sources of consistent happiness. I don’t just travel for pleasure—I travel for education. I travel because it helps me to learn about other cultures, which in turn makes me a better teacher. This scholarship is a strong opening door for me to finish my doctorate and grow my ability to make a long-lasting difference. It means more than a number; it represents faith in my vision and the future I’m building. This way, I won’t just be achieving my own goals; I’ll be helping others achieve theirs. My dream life is not in the next life. I shall plant my dream with the same zeal with which it was brought, and I shall plant it consciously and deliberately.